By Precious Amadi
The Rivers State House of Assembly has committed the 2026 Appropriation Bill to its standing committees for detailed legislative scrutiny following its successful second reading on the floor of the House.
The bill, tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was referred to the committees during Tuesday’s 36th legislative session of the fourth session, following a debate on its general principles and financial estimates.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the proposed 2026 budget to the Assembly six weeks ago.
Speaking at the end of the debate, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, assured residents that the legislature would exercise thorough oversight to guarantee that public funds are allocated judiciously across key sectors of the state economy.
Amaewhule directed all house committees to immediately summon Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under their purview to defend their respective budget estimates.
“The budget defense process remains vital to ensuring that public funds are directed toward programs and projects that directly benefit the citizens,” the Speaker stated, charging lawmakers to carefully examine proposed sectoral allocations.
Leading the debate earlier, Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, emphasized the revenue framework of the proposed bill, expressing optimism that the legislative review would strengthen the budget to deliver accelerated infrastructure and economic development across Rivers State.
With the bill now referred to the committees, budget defense sessions with state MDAs are scheduled to commence ahead of the final report presentation and passage into law.
